Dylan's POV.Yeah, it was the elder Cassius. The man has never had my respect. I mean, how could he? He’s Kane’s pet—his Umbra Inquisitor. The guy Kane calls on to play executioner for the pack, dealing out “justice” like it’s a damn gift from above. Nah, I’ve never trusted the guy, never even liked the way he breathed.So standing there, seeing him—wrinkled, stiff Cassius—as the man Grant brought me to for help? It sent a chill straight down my spine. My feet almost didn’t move when we got to the door, but Grant didn’t wait. Cassius opened it with this slow, knowing nod like he’d already figured out the reason we were there. His hand gripped Grant’s for a second too long, the kind of handshake that’s equal parts power move and greeting.“I was expecting you,” Cassius said, his voice gravelly, like he’d been chewing on rocks.Grant smiled like he was seeing an old friend, but it was the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Got good news and bad news. But first, let’s sit. We’ll
Elder Cassius.I leaned against the cracked stone wall outside the pack house, flicking an old coin between my fingers. It was a nervous habit—something to keep my hands busy when my mind was running wild. And tonight? My mind wasn’t just running—it was sprinting, dodging, and weaving like a goddamn lunatic.Helping them wasn’t just a choice. It was survival, plain and simple. Not theirs. Mine. Every move I made these days felt like threading a needle while blindfolded. One slip, and I’d lose everything. Grant had made sure of that.That bastard. Grant. I pray every damn night that his ticker finally gives out or that someone with better aim puts him down for good. But luck never seems to swing my way. Ironic, isn’t it? A man like me, who’s dealt death like a deck of cards, hoping someone else plays the hand I can’t.It all started back when Grant was clawing his way to the top, campaigning to be alpha of... hell, what was the name of his pack again? It’s always on the tip of my tongu
Elder Cassius. The evening rolled in like a predator stalking its prey, the sky bruised purple and orange as I sped down the winding coastal road. My old truck rumbled beneath me, the engine growling low, a perfect backdrop to the storm brewing in my chest. This was the kind of drive where every mile stretched longer, and every thought gnawed a little harder.I had to make the call.Grant picked up on the second ring, his voice clipped, like he’d been waiting. “Cassius. Have you started yet?”Typical Grant. Straight to the point. No hello, no how’s-the-weather. Just that sharp, business-like tone that always made me want to punch something.“Yeah,” I said, leaning back into the worn leather seat. “But I’m gonna need you to deliver Kane’s body to me. There’s a warehouse just outside the city I have in mind.”There was a beat of silence, just long enough for me to picture his face—probably scowling, eyes narrowing like he didn’t trust me, which he shouldn’t. “You know I can’t do that,”
Grant's POV.I needed to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that no one was going to play me for a fool. Trust isn’t something you just throw around like loose change in this world. You earn it, you fight for it, and you sure as hell don’t hand it over blindly. So yeah, I sat back and watched, my legs kicked up on the dashboard of my car, as my boys did exactly what they were supposed to do.Kane’s corpse was already in the back of the truck, zipped up tight in one of those industrial-grade body bags that look like they could survive a nuclear blast. They pulled into the warehouse — a grimy, cold place surrounded by barbed wire and floodlights. The kind of place no one would bother looking twice at unless they were up to no good. Perfect for what we needed.Through the binoculars, I tracked every move. The security personnel were all over the place, eyes sharp, hands twitchy near their holsters. These weren’t small cops — these were the kind of guys who’d shoot first and never bother a
Cassius' POV. The road ahead was dark, nothing but the hum of the engine and the faint glow of my headlights cutting through the night. Levi, being Levi, decided he needed to ride with me. He didn’t ask—he just opened the door, slid into the passenger seat, and stretched out like he owned the damn car.“So, what’s the plan?” he asked, leaning back and propping his boots on the dash.I shot him a look. “Get your feet off.”He smirked but obeyed, shifting to sit up straight. “We going back to the pack?”“Not yet,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road. “We need to lay low first.”Levi frowned, leaning toward me like he didn’t hear me right. “Lay low? For what?”I glanced at him like he’d just asked the dumbest question in the world. Which he had. “You seriously think the cops aren’t going to be crawling all over this by morning? We just leveled a warehouse and left bodies in our wake. Heading straight home is asking for trouble.”He scratched his jaw, chewing that over. “Alright, fair. W
David's POV.Larkmart Warehouse was a few rides away, and yeah, I’d called for backup. Had to. Let’s be real—this whole “spiritual intervention” stuff? It’s not my thing. I like practical things. Tangible. Something I can see, touch, or at least punch if it gets messy.When the spiritual leader—an old guy with robes that looked like he raided a thrift store and a voice like he smoked one too many cigars—did his thing, I wasn’t impressed. I sat there, arms crossed, watching with what I can only describe as professional skepticism. Cassius, though? He was eating it up. Nodding along like the guy was reciting holy scripture.Cassius isn’t just old; he’s ancient. He’s got this air about him, like he’s forgotten more about the supernatural world than the rest of us will ever know. And he’s respected, which is why I put up with his belief in spirits and rituals and all that. I don’t share the belief, but I wasn’t about to say it to his face. Not outright.Because here’s the thing: I might b
Harry's POV Kane’s remains were brought back to the pack in silence. It wasn’t just quiet—it was heavy. Like the kind of quiet that settles in right before a storm breaks loose. No one said a word, and no one dared to look me in the eye. They all knew better.As for the rogues? Their corpses were nothing but ash by the time we left that warehouse. I made damn sure of it. They didn’t deserve a trace left behind—not even the memory of what they were.When we got to the pack house, I was already on edge. My body was running on fumes, the adrenaline long gone, but the rage? That wasn’t going anywhere. The second I stepped through the front door, I let it out.“Out. All of you. Now.”The servants scattered like leaves in the wind. I didn’t care how late it was or that some of them had probably been sleeping. Their wide eyes and quick feet told me they got the message loud and clear. I needed space. I needed silence.I needed to think.Kane was supposed to come back to us alive. I’d spent
Harry's POV The pack was a mess, everyone barking orders, sharpening claws, and gearing up to take down the Black Fang. And while they were busy growling and hyping each other up, I had my own mission. One that didn’t involve fangs or blood.Julia.I didn’t care what she was doing or who she was doing it with. Whether she was wrapped up with Dylan, painting her nails, or binge-watching reality TV, none of it mattered. I needed to see her. Face to face. I had to tell her the guy she swore she loved was gone. Dead. And it had to come from me.It was early as hell when I hit the road. Too early for anything sane, but hey, life doesn’t wait for you to get a good night’s sleep. The air was cold, my car heater barely keeping up, and the roads were so quiet it felt like the world hadn’t woken up yet.Her family house looked exactly how I remembered—clean, calm, and way to put-together. It was the kind of place where the neighbors probably judged each other on lawn care and holiday decoratio
AUTHOR'S POV The night outside the Pack House was quiet, the air heavy with the chill of winter. Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but calm. Dylan had arrived.He wasn’t early, nor was he particularly late—it didn’t matter. The coronation tomorrow had officially crowned him Alpha, and his presence here was merely to solidify his claim. He strode through the grand halls, his dark hair slightly disheveled but his expression sharp and composed. The entourage behind him moved silently, their loyalty unquestionable.The maids had scrambled at his arrival, wide-eyed as they led him through the labyrinth of corridors. Their hushed whispers followed him like a shadow. “The new Alpha,” they murmured. “He doesn’t even look like he belongs here.” Dylan caught snippets of their chatter but paid it no mind. He’d been underestimated before.His boots clicked softly against the polished floors as they guided him to his chambers—Kane’s chambers. He paused in the doorway, his green eyes sc
AUTHOR’S POVJulia killed the engine, her hands gripping the wheel a moment longer than necessary. The palace rose before them like a ghost in the moonlight—cold, unfeeling, and absolutely massive. The air carried a chill that crept beneath her skin, but it wasn’t the temperature that set her nerves alight.Beside her, Alex adjusted his leather jacket, his movements sharp and impatient. He glanced at her, his jaw tightening like he was holding back a comment. Casey, lounging in the back seat, let out an exaggerated sigh and popped her gum.“So, what’s the grand plan, Jules?” Casey asked, her tone dripping with mockery. “We storm the gates, guns blazing? Or is this a sneak-and-pray situation?”Julia shot her a look over her shoulder, her green eyes sharp. “You’re the distraction, smartass.”Casey grinned, slow and wicked. “Distraction? Oh, honey, that’s my specialty.”“Good,” Alex cut in, his voice low and steady. “Just keep him busy. Jules and I will handle the rest.”Casey slid out o
After Harry had been pushed to the sidelines, the elders wasted no time getting to work. The air around the pack shifted as they dived into the logistics of making Dylan alpha. Paperwork stacked high, rituals were rehearsed, and every detail of the upcoming ceremony was put into motion. For them, this was tradition, structure, order. For Harry, it was betrayal, but no one seemed to care about that.Meanwhile, the world outside spun on. Julia, still in the hospital, was beginning to piece her memory back together. Slowly, but surely. She could barely speak—her words stuck like thorns in her throat—but there was progress. Her body might’ve been healing, but her spirit? That was another story entirely.Grant, Cassius, and Dylan, however, seemed to have no trouble moving forward. They were out at Grant’s mansion, living it up like kings. The finest liquor, the rarest meats, the most exclusive guest list. It was a celebration disguised as camaraderie, and no expense was spared.Among the g
Harry's POV.Seamless—that’s the word. That’s how it felt watching Levi, cornered like a rat in a burning maze. His pack, the once-feared Black Fang, was already in ruins. Overrun. Overwhelmed. Women, men, children—slaughtered because of his arrogance. Screams echoed through the flames as his mistakes came back to haunt him, clawing at his heels like rabid wolves.Levi. Pathetic Levi. The coward who thought he could stand tall after killing Kane. That arrogant son of a bitch actually believed he could wear his sins like armor, raise his kids, and play alpha after murdering the most revered wolf among us. I couldn’t stomach it. The sight of him—shaking, sweating, eyes darting like a trapped animal—made my stomach churn.I spat on him. Right in his face. “You made your choice,” I said, my voice as cold as the night air. “You chose wrong. Wrong man. Wrong time. Wrong everything.”His lips trembled. His eyes—those damn eyes—tried to plead, but there was nothing left to bargain with. "I—I
Dylan's POV. A man’s dream is always the same—to be the best. To walk into a room and own it without saying a word. And me? I’m this close to becoming the Alpha of the entire pack. Let that sink in. Do you know what that means?I’d own shares in every damn company the pack has its claws in. Lands? All mine. Territories? Mine. I’d have warriors—over a hundred of them—at my beck and call. And the pack house? That place isn’t just some fancy mansion. It’s a fortress. A vault of secrets no one talks about but everyone fears. I’d have the kind of power that makes people stand when I walk in, that gets governments to pick up the phone when I call. And the cherry on top? The psychic connection to my wolves. That’s not just power; it’s omnipresence.This isn’t just a dream—it’s the dream.I sat in my chamber, the air thick with the scent of wood polish and leather, sipping tea that was just shy of boiling. The kind of tea that warms your chest but has enough kick to remind you it’s not playi
Harry's POV The pack was a mess, everyone barking orders, sharpening claws, and gearing up to take down the Black Fang. And while they were busy growling and hyping each other up, I had my own mission. One that didn’t involve fangs or blood.Julia.I didn’t care what she was doing or who she was doing it with. Whether she was wrapped up with Dylan, painting her nails, or binge-watching reality TV, none of it mattered. I needed to see her. Face to face. I had to tell her the guy she swore she loved was gone. Dead. And it had to come from me.It was early as hell when I hit the road. Too early for anything sane, but hey, life doesn’t wait for you to get a good night’s sleep. The air was cold, my car heater barely keeping up, and the roads were so quiet it felt like the world hadn’t woken up yet.Her family house looked exactly how I remembered—clean, calm, and way to put-together. It was the kind of place where the neighbors probably judged each other on lawn care and holiday decoratio
Harry's POV Kane’s remains were brought back to the pack in silence. It wasn’t just quiet—it was heavy. Like the kind of quiet that settles in right before a storm breaks loose. No one said a word, and no one dared to look me in the eye. They all knew better.As for the rogues? Their corpses were nothing but ash by the time we left that warehouse. I made damn sure of it. They didn’t deserve a trace left behind—not even the memory of what they were.When we got to the pack house, I was already on edge. My body was running on fumes, the adrenaline long gone, but the rage? That wasn’t going anywhere. The second I stepped through the front door, I let it out.“Out. All of you. Now.”The servants scattered like leaves in the wind. I didn’t care how late it was or that some of them had probably been sleeping. Their wide eyes and quick feet told me they got the message loud and clear. I needed space. I needed silence.I needed to think.Kane was supposed to come back to us alive. I’d spent
David's POV.Larkmart Warehouse was a few rides away, and yeah, I’d called for backup. Had to. Let’s be real—this whole “spiritual intervention” stuff? It’s not my thing. I like practical things. Tangible. Something I can see, touch, or at least punch if it gets messy.When the spiritual leader—an old guy with robes that looked like he raided a thrift store and a voice like he smoked one too many cigars—did his thing, I wasn’t impressed. I sat there, arms crossed, watching with what I can only describe as professional skepticism. Cassius, though? He was eating it up. Nodding along like the guy was reciting holy scripture.Cassius isn’t just old; he’s ancient. He’s got this air about him, like he’s forgotten more about the supernatural world than the rest of us will ever know. And he’s respected, which is why I put up with his belief in spirits and rituals and all that. I don’t share the belief, but I wasn’t about to say it to his face. Not outright.Because here’s the thing: I might b
Cassius' POV. The road ahead was dark, nothing but the hum of the engine and the faint glow of my headlights cutting through the night. Levi, being Levi, decided he needed to ride with me. He didn’t ask—he just opened the door, slid into the passenger seat, and stretched out like he owned the damn car.“So, what’s the plan?” he asked, leaning back and propping his boots on the dash.I shot him a look. “Get your feet off.”He smirked but obeyed, shifting to sit up straight. “We going back to the pack?”“Not yet,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road. “We need to lay low first.”Levi frowned, leaning toward me like he didn’t hear me right. “Lay low? For what?”I glanced at him like he’d just asked the dumbest question in the world. Which he had. “You seriously think the cops aren’t going to be crawling all over this by morning? We just leveled a warehouse and left bodies in our wake. Heading straight home is asking for trouble.”He scratched his jaw, chewing that over. “Alright, fair. W